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In honor of their former classmate Andrew Rusticus ’05 and in an effort to help the family left behind after his death, more than 150 alumni, friends, and family members held a fundraiser on campus April 28. Rusticus, 29, died of an apparent heart attack on Saturday, February 25.
Many fundraisers have been held to help Rusticus’s wife Michelle ’07 and their daughters Baylee Noel, 3, and Libby Grace, three months. The family-friendly event at Trinity raised over $5,500 and included a bean bag tournament, cookout, and activities for the children.
Alumnus Tony Gabrielse ’05 worked with Trinity’s alumni office to arrange the event.
“Family was a top priority for Andy. As Andy’s friends, we wanted to step up and help support the family he loved,” said Gabrielse. “The Rusticus benefit was planned not only to help raise money for the family, but also to serve as an encouragement to the Rusticus and Cooke families and let them know they are in many people’s thoughts and prayers.”
“It was a huge team effort of Andy’s friends coming together and making it happen,” said Eric Lindemulder ’05. “The event was a great example of the Christian community of Trinity. Leave it to Andy to bring friends together who haven’t seen each other in many years to share stories, catch up, enjoy some friendly competition, and support Michelle.”
For those who would like to help the family, visit www.andyslittleangels.com. To view photos of the fundraiser, please visit the photogallery.
Illustrator Michael Hays was the guest speaker for this year’s Young Authors Festival at Trinity.
In addition to explaining his process for illustrating picture books, Hays treated local elementary students to a very animated reading of Abiyoyo, a storysong by folk artist Pete Seeger and Hays’ first picture book.
More than 200 students from 12 area Christian schools visited campus to celebrate their achievements and expand their passion for writing and reading.
The morning opened with a time of worship in the Ozinga Chapel, led by alumnus Vinnie Adams ’10. Afterward, the children, accompanied by Trinity student volunteers, were divided into groups and attended three sessions, including the presentation by Hays, small group discussions, and improv performances.
The event is sponsored by Trinity’s education department, and 30 student leaders participate.
Jenna Rae Reidenga ’12 of Thornton, Illinois, a secondary education major, has helped out with the festival for three years by participating in the Trinity improv team FTW (For The Win). She has been the co-leader of this group for three years and said the festival is one of the group’s favorite events.
“The students are always so enthusiastic, and their writing is hilarious and phenomenal,” said Reidenga. “They are such a sweet group of kids, and we love spending the day with them. It’s fun to be goofy, but our hope is that through our small performance, the students will be encouraged to see the big picture—to write creatively and to write often.”
Danielle DeVries ’13 of St. John, Indiana, an elementary education major, led a group of third graders from all different schools. One of her students had his book chosen to be acted out. “He said he felt so cool to see his story being performed,” said DeVries. “He felt like a true author.”
DeVries said the children were obviously proud of their books. “Overall, it was just a fabulous day full of students worshipping God together through their gift of writing.”
Schools represented by Young Authors
Calvin Christian, South Holland, Illinois
Chicago West Side Christian, Chicago, Illinois
Christ the King, Chicago, Illinois
Crown Point Christian, St. John, Indiana
DeMotte Christian, DeMotte, Indiana
Elim Christian Services, Palos Heights, Illinois
Highland Christian, Highland, Indiana
Lansing Christian, Lansing, Illinois
Roseland Christian, Chicago, Illinois
Southwest Chicago Christian, Oak Lawn, Illinois
Southwest Chicago Christian, Tinley Park, Illinois
Timothy Christian, Elmhurst, Illinois
About Michael Hays
Hays has produced many picture books with various authors. He has worked with illustrator Judy MacDonald to create the art for Steven and Deborah Layne’s book W is for Windy City, A Chicago Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Press 2010). He speaks and leads workshops for children at hundreds of schools throughout the Chicagoland area and has taught children’s book illustration at Columbia College.
To learn more, visit www.michaelhays.com.
Bright orange t-shirts could be seen all over the Palos Heights area on Saturday, April 28. The shirts were worn by 85 Trinity students, faculty, and other members of the Palos community serving at the 10th annual Love Palos, a community service event.
Students chose from nine different projects including donation sorting at Pass It On Thrift Store and cleaning projects at Providence Life Services, the Navajo Hills neighborhoods, a public pool, and around Trinity’s campus.
“Love Palos lets you have the opportunity to share God’s love with people around the community,” said Noah Reardanz ’12 of Manteno, Illinois. “I think it is what we are called to do here at Trinity.”
Other students traveled to Restoration Ministries in Harvey, Illinois, where they set up for a food pantry and an event at the ministry’s boxing club.
Members of the Trinity community were not the only ones who helped at the event. The Navajo Hills Neighborhood Association also served along with a group of seven middle school students from Circle Urban Ministries. These students have been involved in Trinity’s pre-college program and worked on a project at Lake Katherine Nature Preserve spreading mulch and removing invasive plant species.
Around 30 members of the interfaith service group, Building Bridges, Building Community, also worked with Trinity students along the Cal-Sag River trail as they cleared trees and removed garbage.
“Love Palos highlights not only the benefits of service, but also how we can further strengthen ties to our community by serving together,” said Carrie Timmermans ’11, who works in the College’s Office of Community Partnerships and Service Learning, sponsor of the event.
The Ethnic Diversity Committee recently named Cynthia Coffey ’13 of Robbins, Illinois; Alejandra Romo ’15 of Chicago; and Dr. Robert Rice, professor of history, as the recipients of the Catherine Yonker Award for Diversity during the College’s Celebration of Asia in April.
The award is given annually to members of the Trinity community who make contributions toward accomplishing Christian race relations and cross-cultural understanding.
Coffey is a psychology major who is a member of the committee and also serves as a diversity assistant to Don Woo, dean for ethnic diversity and multicultural programs. In this position, she has worked diligently to promote racial reconciliation on Trinity’s campus.
“Serving enables me to participate in God’s ultimate mission of reconciling the people of the earth as we all journey toward God’s new creation,” said Coffey.
Romo is a criminal justice major and a co-chair of Sabor Latino, a multicultural club for students. She was also a recipient of the Greater Chicago Christian Leadership Scholarship for her academic excellence, leadership, and Christian commitment.
“Alejandra exhibited leadership from the moment she came on campus,” said Woo.
Dr. Robert Rice is currently in his 33rd year as a professor of history at Trinity. He served several years as a member of the committee, some as the committee chair. Although he is no longer a member, Rice continues to support its members and counsel faculty in promoting diversity.
The 2nd Annual Scholars Dinner on April 20 celebrated student and faculty research among former Vander Velde Scholars, Honors students, Founders Scholars, and faculty mentors. The keynote address “Blessed to Be a Blessing” was delivered by Dr. Nathan Bosch ’02, assistant professor of environmental science at Grace College.
During the welcome reception, guests viewed a gallery of current student/faculty research. Projects and student researchers included:
- Brooke Bozarth ’11 of Owensboro, Kentucky,“The MLA vs. the CMS in the Humanities: The Conflict that Resolves.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Karen Dieleman, assistant professor of English
- Alaina Vermeer ’13 of Leighton, Iowa, “Investigating the Effects of Environmental Conditions on MSC Differentiation.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Bob Boomsma ’77, professor of biology
- Brian Hofman ’13 of Waupun, Wisconsin, and Trevor Schaap ’13 of Lansing, Illinois, “The Black Chamber.” Faculty mentors: Dr. Sharon Robbert, professor of mathematics, and Dr. Mandi Maxwell, associate professor of mathematics
- Adam Perez ’12 of Racine, Wisconsin, “Music, Theology, and Christian Worship: A Study of Hillsong.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Mark Peters, associate professor of music
“This event is an opportunity to celebrate student and faculty scholarship together,” said Dr. Mackenzi Huyser ’97, dean for faculty development and academic programs.
Following a welcome by Dr. Craig Mattson, director of the Honors Program and professor of communication arts, Dr. Bosch took guests on a virtual journey, beginning with his research project at Argonne National Laboratory as a Trinity student and culminating with his current study of aquatic ecosystems.
Bosch earned a Ph.D. in resource ecology and management-aquatics at the University of Michigan. He has studied lakes and rivers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio to better understand how to take care of aquatic ecosystems. In addition to his role as professor, he serves as director of Kosciusko Lakes and Streams, a community water quality program.
Alumni and other guests were given an opportunity to help establish the Trinity Scholars Fund. The fund is dedicated to allocating resources for Honors and Vander Velde student researchers to present their research at professional conferences. Attendance at these conferences allows students to network with colleagues in their discipline and share the outstanding research they are doing through Trinity’s programs.
For more information about this fund, contact Dr. Huyser at mackenzi.huyser@trnty.edu.
The event was sponsored by the Honors Committee and the Alumni Office.
The 2nd Annual Scholars Dinner on April 20 celebrated student and faculty research among former Vander Velde Scholars, Honors students, Founders Scholars, and faculty mentors. The keynote address “Blessed to Be a Blessing” was delivered by Dr. Nathan Bosch ’02, assistant professor of environmental science at Grace College.
During the welcome reception, guests viewed a gallery of current student/faculty research. Projects and student researchers included:
- Brooke Bozarth ’11 of Owensboro, Kentucky,“The MLA vs. the CMS in the Humanities: The Conflict that Resolves.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Karen Dieleman, assistant professor of English
- Alaina Vermeer ’13 of Leighton, Iowa, “Investigating the Effects of Environmental Conditions on MSC Differentiation.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Bob Boomsma ’77, professor of biology
- Brian Hofman ’13 of Waupun, Wisconsin, and Trevor Schaap ’13 of Lansing, Illinois, “The Black Chamber.” Faculty mentors: Dr. Sharon Robbert, professor of mathematics, and Dr. Mandi Maxwell, associate professor of mathematics
- Adam Perez ’12 of Racine, Wisconsin, “Music, Theology, and Christian Worship: A Study of Hillsong.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Mark Peters, associate professor of music
“This event is an opportunity to celebrate student and faculty scholarship together,” said Dr. Mackenzi Huyser ’97, dean for faculty development and academic programs.
Following a welcome by Dr. Craig Mattson, director of the Honors Program and professor of communication arts, Dr. Bosch took guests on a virtual journey, beginning with his research project at Argonne National Laboratory as a Trinity student and culminating with his current study of aquatic ecosystems.
Bosch earned a Ph.D. in resource ecology and management-aquatics at the University of Michigan. He has studied lakes and rivers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio to better understand how to take care of aquatic ecosystems. In addition to his role as professor, he serves as director of Kosciusko Lakes and Streams, a community water quality program.
Alumni and other guests were given an opportunity to help establish the Trinity Scholars Fund. The fund is dedicated to allocating resources for Honors and Vander Velde student researchers to present their research at professional conferences. Attendance at these conferences allows students to network with colleagues in their discipline and share the outstanding research they are doing through Trinity’s programs.
For more information about this fund, contact Dr. Huyser at mackenzi.huyser@trnty.edu.
The event was sponsored by the Honors Committee and the Alumni Office.
In 1618-19, delegates from the Netherlands and eight other countries met over a period of several months in the great Synod of Dort and produced the Canons of Dort. These statements of doctrine adopted by the synod addressed the Arminian controversy in the Dutch churches.
The year 2018 will mark the 400th anniversary of that significant time in Reformed church history and the completion of a significant project, led in part by Dr. Donald Sinnema, professor of theology at Trinity.
“The Canons of Dort is one of the foundational documents of our religious perspective,” said Sinnema, an internationally recognized scholar on the canons.
He serves as one of three general editors overseeing scholars from around the world on the six-year international project to publish a critical edition of all the existing documents of the synod into one multi-volume series.
The project is funded by the Johannes a Lasco Bibliothek, in Emden, Germany, along with other research institutions, and is directed by Herman Selderhuis, historian and curator at the library. The third editor is Christian Moser, a Swiss scholar. The idea for the effort was born at a 2009 conference in Dordrecht where Sinnema began discussions with fellow scholars on a potential way to observe the 400th anniversary.
Sinnema has spent decades studying the synod, including original documents hidden away in archives throughout Europe, often for hundreds of years. Reminiscent of some kind of Reformed archaeologist, the professor discovered 20 lost-to-the-world manuscript volumes last summer in a library in Zurich, where the first organizational meeting for the project was being held. A summer research grant from Trinity enabled the professor to draw up an inventory of the available documents, most in Latin.
“I felt exuberant about the discovery, especially about the original documents,” said Sinnema. “They included a rare working copy of the drafts of the canons.”
He attended a second meeting in Emden during Trinity’s January 2012 Interim. Sinnema estimates the total number of manuscript pages, including copies, to be 14,000. The pages will be transcribed and edited into eight volumes of approximately 500-1000 pages each. A number of scholars, including Trinity Professor of Theology Yudha Thianto, have been recruited to edit individual documents.
Responsible for the first volume, Sinnema anticipates publication in 2013, with publication of the entire series in 2018. The volumes, published by Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, will be available to various academic libraries and scholars.
Sinnema has taught theology at Trinity since 1987, and his understanding of and support for Reformed Christian higher education permeate his scholarship. He will retire in May from Trinity and will be honored with emeritus status at the 2012 Commencement ceremony for traditional graduates. The Don Sinnema Honorary Research Scholarship has been established for senior theology or church ministry leadership majors. Contributions to the scholarship can be made by contacting Trinity’s Development office at 708.239.4806.
Sinnema earned a master’s in philosophical theology at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto, Canada, and a Ph.D. in historical theology from St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto. He has published scores of academic papers on the Synod of Dort, John Calvin, and other subjects relating to Reformed theology. In coordination with the 50th anniversary of Trinity, he wrote If We Begin with Christ, the Founding of Trinity Christian College, 1952-1960.
“Communication arts is a practical discipline. Our ability to communicate well is a key factor to success in any aspect of life, whether personal, professional, or social. It is a skill that everyone can learn to use proficiently.” This is the philosophy on which Dr. Sherry Barnes, professor of communication arts, has based her teaching as a Trinity faculty member since 2001.
May will mark Barnes’ retirement and her emerita status at the College. Looking back on her years at Trinity, she said one of the most fulfilling aspects of teaching was hearing about students’ rich faith traditions and faith journeys alongside family.
“I graded their assignments with a grateful heart and with renewed understanding of the power of small, everyday lessons—most of them learned by observation and imitation.”
Barnes graduated from Oklahoma Christian College with a degree in speech and theatre. She earned her master’s degree in speech and advertising communication from the University of Tennessee and her doctorate in human resource development from the University of Nebraska. She also served as vice president of the local American Society of Training and Development chapter.
Her interest in intercultural communication started in college, but her passion for it grew during her time at Trinity. Faculty development opportunities overseas were tied to the use of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) in her Intercultural Communication classes and a five-year research project on the development of intercultural sensitivity.
Her academic and corporate expertise has been invaluable in her work with students in Trinity’s traditional and Adult Studies programs.
“A learning community like Trinity is a place to facilitate creative thinking strategies both in and outside the classroom,” said Barnes. “As I look back on 10 years of graduates, I can see Trinity students as change agents for the businesses, schools, churches, and communities they join.”
Just three days after Christmas Day 2010, the campus community was mourning the loss of student Giselle Charissah McComb ’11 of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, who passed away on December 28 from injuries sustained in a car accident. On April 26, students, faculty, and staff gathered outside of the library with Giselle’s parents, Michael and Janice, to once again celebrate her life and mark the dedication of a bench donated in her memory.
Giselle was a double major in psychology and criminal justice and had a passion for restorative justice. As a student, she was working with the Cook County Sheriff’s office to develop a program in which young offenders were given information about turning their lives around through education.
The Criminal Justice Club, under the advice of Dr. Dennis Connelly, assistant professor of criminal justice, collected donations from generous faculty members and fellow students and raised the funds to purchase the bench and brass plaque in honor of their beloved classmate.
President Steve Timmermans, Ph.D., welcomed friends and family, and Dr.Connelly, Giselle’s former professor, offered words of remembrance.
Reading from Psalm 15, Chaplain Bill Van Groningen said, “In this poem, David reflects on the characteristics and behaviour common to people who love the Lord. Giselle’s life bore witness to this word of God.”
The McCombs closed the dedication with a few words about their daughter and thanked the Trinity community for its support over the years.
“We are so blessed as parents to be a part of this family,” said Janice McComb. “It takes my breath away that people care so much.”
While stories of Trinity students learning and serving overseas abound, this month the campus welcomed 18 visitors from Notre Dame de la Paix, a college in Lorient, France.
The visit was arranged by Dr. Mauricio Nava Delgado, assistant professor of Spanish. He, along with Professor of English Yann Cargoet from Notre Dame, envisioned the cross-cultural learning experience based on a similar program they established at Bethel College in Minneapolis in 2004.
“The French students are very French, and the American students are very American. This cross-cultural exchange opens people’s minds,” said Cargoet. “The experience doesn’t last two weeks. It goes far beyond.”
For Cargoet, his colleague, and the 16 students from Notre Dame they accompanied, the two-week schedule was packed with activities on and off-campus. Students visited the communication arts, education psychology, and Spanish classes; local and Chicago area businesses, such as Sofitel; and popular Chicago sites including Navy Pier and Willis Tower.
Many of the Notre Dame students study business and speak some English and Spanish. Families from Calvary Church of Naperville and as well as Trinity faculty and staff hosted the students during their stay. Drs. Craig and Rhoda Mattson, professors at Trinity, included their hosted students in the Family’s Easter celebration and took them to a Sox game.
“Their desire to know life in the United States was nothing less than avid,” said Craig Mattson, professor of communication arts. “Whatever the schedule, wherever our busy lives took them, they were up for it.”
The students also had the opportunity to interact with Trinity students during classes, Outcry worship service, and a joint soccer practice with Notre Dame players and Trolls.
Nava looks at the program as a “port of entry” for various opportunities for Trinity students, including the possibility of including a brief visit to Brittany as part of the College’s existing Semester in Spain.